MIDDLEWICH MP Ann Winterton is leading calls for the Government to publicise a card for people to carry threatening legal action if hospitals withdraw lifesaving treatment when they are ill.

Mrs Winterton and her husband Nicholas, the MP for Macclesfield, are leaders of the All-Party Parliamentry Pro-Life Group, consisting of MPs and peers.

The group is trying to outlaw euthanasia by omission ­- when medical staff withdraw food and fluid to intentionally cause death.

Now it has tabled an Early Day Motion, which calls for the Government to publicise the Right To Life Human-Rights Care Card which makes it clear that if anybody withdraws food and fluid from the carrier with the purpose of causing death, they could face legal action.

Mrs Winterton said: 'This practice contravenes the European Convention of Human Rights which 'guarantees that no-one should be deprived of his life intentionally'.

'We feel critical of the fact that the Department of Health has failed to take a stand against the British Medical Association guidelines on withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging treatment which encourages the withdrawal of assisted food and fluid from some patients who are not dying.

'The department should compensate for their lack of action by coming out in support of the card.

This warns that doctors who follow such practices could be faced with legal action.

'We are determined to see an end to the withdrawal of treatment with the aim of ending the lives of patients who are not dying.'